This simple string game was popular in the 1960s before the advent of Tamagotchi and computer games and even animated Barbie dolls (talking, singing and dancing). Known simply as permainan tali, it’s basically about stringing up figures between the fingers of both hands, and can be played solo or passed on (the loop) alternately between two or more players. And it was a relatively cheap form of entertainment for children in the early days. It’s also called cat’s cradle, or Jack In The Pulpit (UK), fan sheng (China) and ayatori (Japan). Virtually unknown now, there was even a Guinness Book of Record feat of 21,200 changes in 21 hours accomplished by three girls in 1972. Dzulkifli Buyong, known for his naïve sensibility, was evidently fascinated by this to depict two girls, tellingly with stringy curvy hairstyles, engrossed in the game, with half arms protruding from their baju melayu sleeves. Japanese 18th century ukiyo-e artist Suzuki Harunobu had also painted the game played, in woodblock print. Dzulkifli Buyong had said: “I like to paint children, colourful games, and subjective paintings about my surroundings… Everyday happenings, children particularly, their gaiety and liveliness.” This has been the mainstay of his endearing works since he became prominent in the Wednesday Art Group (1962-1966). After that, he was sent to Japan for art training for three years but it proved problematic. He first excelled when he swept the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes (pastels) awards in the Young Friends' Art Competition in 1962. In 1963, he won the 1st and 2nd Prizes in the same competition, and in the 1964 Joy of Living competition, he won 2nd Prize for his pastel work. His auction record was RM134,400 for Kucing Sakit (1986) set in the Oct 28, 2018 Henry Butcher auction.